I think this song encapsulates pretty well the two attitudes that many of Ray Davies' most distinctly "British" songs often seemed to vacillate between.
To say that he's just making some sarcastic or denuncitory satirical statements about Britain would be a mistake, I think. He obviously has a lot of affection for the England of "Victoria." Some people look at:
I was born, lucky me
In a land that I love
Though I am poor, I am free
When I grow I shall fight
For this land I shall die
Let her sun never set
...and assume that the message is completely negative, as in, "Look at the poor ignorant peasant tricked into dying for foolhardy British patriotism."
I don't think that's the right way to look at it. I think Davies, while mindful of the drawbacks that Empire and the Victorian culture bring with them, is at least somewhat fondly disposed towards them.
You can discern the same sensibilities in Muswell Hillbillies and Village Green Preservation Society, to name just two.
@jonpalin I think you're right to say the song vascillates between two attitudes. It's not meant as serious criticism of what went on
@jonpalin I think you're right to say the song vascillates between two attitudes. It's not meant as serious criticism of what went on
However, i do think when he says" i shall fight... I shall die" it is meant to be ironic. People had no choice whether they went and fought. It isn't " i will fight, i would die if i had to". You have no choice and will probably die. I'm not sure if i can see the positive side of dying really. How can people be free if they have no choice?
However, i do think when he says" i shall fight... I shall die" it is meant to be ironic. People had no choice whether they went and fought. It isn't " i will fight, i would die if i had to". You have no choice and will probably die. I'm not sure if i can see the positive side of dying really. How can people be free if they have no choice?
I think this song encapsulates pretty well the two attitudes that many of Ray Davies' most distinctly "British" songs often seemed to vacillate between.
To say that he's just making some sarcastic or denuncitory satirical statements about Britain would be a mistake, I think. He obviously has a lot of affection for the England of "Victoria." Some people look at:
I was born, lucky me In a land that I love Though I am poor, I am free When I grow I shall fight For this land I shall die Let her sun never set
...and assume that the message is completely negative, as in, "Look at the poor ignorant peasant tricked into dying for foolhardy British patriotism."
I don't think that's the right way to look at it. I think Davies, while mindful of the drawbacks that Empire and the Victorian culture bring with them, is at least somewhat fondly disposed towards them.
You can discern the same sensibilities in Muswell Hillbillies and Village Green Preservation Society, to name just two.
@jonpalin I think you're right to say the song vascillates between two attitudes. It's not meant as serious criticism of what went on
@jonpalin I think you're right to say the song vascillates between two attitudes. It's not meant as serious criticism of what went on
However, i do think when he says" i shall fight... I shall die" it is meant to be ironic. People had no choice whether they went and fought. It isn't " i will fight, i would die if i had to". You have no choice and will probably die. I'm not sure if i can see the positive side of dying really. How can people be free if they have no choice?
However, i do think when he says" i shall fight... I shall die" it is meant to be ironic. People had no choice whether they went and fought. It isn't " i will fight, i would die if i had to". You have no choice and will probably die. I'm not sure if i can see the positive side of dying really. How can people be free if they have no choice?